The Dallas Mavericks are the 2011 NBA champions, beating the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals, 4-2. Posted by Ben Golliver.

Against the odds, the Dallas Mavericks are your 2011 NBA champions. The Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, closing out the series, 4-2, by winning at American Airlines Arena. The final score: Dallas 105, Miami 95.

Shawn Marion dribbled the ball out and then handed it Jason Kidd as the buzzer sounded. Not wasting any time, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki ran directly off the court while Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and coach Rick Carlisle hugged each other on the court.

It is the first title in franchise history and the first ring for Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion and guard Jason Terry. Many will celebrate the fact that it came against arguably the Heat, the NBA's most hated team after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to team up last summer.

James is now 0-for-2 in his Finals career and he walked off the court alone.

Ian Mahinmi of the Dallas Mavericks hits a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the third quarter of the 2011 NBA Finals. Posted by Ben Golliver.

Dallas Mavericks reserve big man dropped in a huge buzzer-beating 3-pointer to close the third quarter of the 2011 NBA Finals. Mahinmi was near the free throw line when Jason Terry found him with a pass and the clock running down. Mahinmi caught, turned and fired, sinking the basket as time expired.

The Mavericks bench predictably exploded as the bucket pushed Dallas to a 81-72 lead after three quarters.

Mahinmi is the unlikeliest of heroes as he is only playing because the usual second-string center, Brendan Haywood, has been limited by a hip flexor injury suffered in Game 2. Haywood played briefly in game 4 but sat out Game 3 and Game 5. He has not appeared in Game 6.

After the basket, the Mavericks were just 12 minutes from their first title in franchise history. They entered Sunday night leading the Finals series, 3-2.

During the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals, Miami Heat guard rose up as he has often in this series, finishing a two-hand basket near the rim over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.

Wade cut back door from the right corner, collecting a pass from Heat guard Mario Chalmers. Wade collected and rose without hestitation, as Nowitzki came from the weakside to contest a dunk attempt. The two collided but Wade was able to finish the play without dunking, laying the ball up and in with both hands.

Nowitzki was called for a foul on the play but Wade missed his free throw. Wade's basket cut Dallas' lead to 81-76 with 11:15 remaining in the game. The Mavericks are one quarter away from winning their first franchise title, leading the series 3-2.

Haslem took exception to the push and Chalmers came charging in late. Stevenson pushed back at Chalmers and both benches emptied in defense of their teammates. Mavericks center Tyson Chandler was also involved, but escaped penalty.

The exchange could potentially lead to suspensions if there is a Game 7, however given that it was a timeout situation the players were allowed to come off the bench, so that part would be a non-issue.

The Miami Heat have inserted point guard Mario Chalmers into their starting lineup for Game 6 instead of Mike Bibby. Posted by Ben Golliver.

In our NBA Finals Game 6 preview, we wondered whether Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra would make any adjustments with the desperation factor ratcheted up in an elimination game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Spoelstra has indeed made a change: The Heat will start point guard Mario Chalmers instead of the usual starter, Mike Bibby, in Game 6 on Sunday night.

Chalmers has played well for the Heat throughout the Finals, averaging 10/6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game. He's also shooting 42.9 percent from deep. He has emerged as a steady presence for Miami, spacing the floor well, making good decisions and doing his best to stay with Dallas' guards.

Bibby, meanwhile, has struggled. He's a defensively liability because of his age and is shooting just 29.4 percent from deep, averaging 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.2 minutes per game against the Mavericks.

The move comes shortly after Spoelstra told reporters in his pre-game media availibility that he did not want to over-react by changing his starting lineup. A little bit of gamesmanship.

This is Chalmers' first start since March 19. He started 28 games during the regular season.